Dual compartment package for dispensing fluids

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a dual compartment package for dispensing of fluids, the package having oppositely disposed end portions, and a central portion, the package having a first compartment in one end portion, and a second compartment in the other end portion, each compartment having a proximal and distal end relative to the central portion of the package, with an aperture positioned at the distal end of each compartment, and one or more partitions separating the compartments at their proximal ends. The package permits convenient storage and dispensing of two fluid components intended for use together, for example, condiments, or cosmetic products.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/629,899, filed Nov. 30, 2011, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to packaging for holding anddispensing multiple fluid components. More specifically, the field ofthe invention relates to a package containing two fluids intended to beused together but maintained and dispensed separately.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is not uncommon for certain fluid commodities, such as condiments, orvarious cosmetic items, to be used at substantially the same time aspart of their routine use. For example, oil and vinegar are commonlyutilized together in preparing salads or other food items; similarly,shampoo and conditioner are typically used together during a morningshower. In the most common situation, the different items are packagedseparately in individual bottles or containers. The combination of twosuch related products in a single package for ease of use and dispensingis a considerable improvement, and has been frequently described, forexample, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,193,521, 5,899,936, 4,148,417 and7,665,631. Each of these packages or dispensers provides for a unitcontainer having dual compartments in which the fluid components arecontained and separated by a wall or partition. Typically, the partitionin the package is placed longitudinally, and the dual compartments arearranged side by side within the package. Each compartment will usuallyhave a separate aperture or opening to permit individual, or if desiredby the user, simultaneous, dispensing of the separate fluid components.In other known embodiments, the dual compartments are actuallyseparately formed containers or bottles that are ultimately joined, inone manner or another, to form a single “package” having two separatebut abutting compartments, each with a separate aperture. Examples ofsuch arrangements are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.7,516,860, 5,316,159 and US published application 2001/0030191.Similarly, in these cases as well, the compartments are arrangedapproximately longitudinally and side by side, in the package.

Such side-by-side or longitudinal arrangements have certain limitations.One important deficiency is that the apertures are generally also sideby side, in close proximity, and in that situation, it is more difficultto ensure that the contents of the individual compartments do not mixwhen it is not desired to do so, and to keep the aperture of onecompartment from being contaminated with the contents of the other. Inaddition, it is generally difficult to provide equivalent dispensing offluid components of differing viscosities, particularly in a squeezebottle, when such is desired (e.g., with cleansing compositions ofdifferent viscosities intended to be mixed in situ); conversely, whenequivalent amounts of the fluid components are not needed (e.g., oil andvinegar), it can be problematical to differentially control the amountof each fluid component dispersed through the individual apertureswithout complex mechanisms for preventing simultaneous and/or equivalentdispensing of both condiments. Thus, while the dual compartmentcontainer for fluid dispensing is a significant improvement over the useof individual bottles or containers, those currently available do notprovide the maximum convenience that may be desired by a user of theseproducts.

The present invention provides a solution to many of these problems byproviding a package that allows separate, yet near simultaneous,dispensing of two fluid components from a single package, at a rate thatis easily controlled by the user, and does not require the use ofcomplicated mechanisms or manipulations to do so. The package of theinvention provides two separate and independent compartments for holdingfluid or flowable components, giving a maximum and continuous separationof both fluids and compartment apertures so as to avoidcross-contamination, while offering the opportunity for nearsimultaneous dispensing of the desired liquids, in the amounts and atthe speed and timing desired, regardless of their viscosities. Thepackage of the invention achieves these advantages by arranging the twoseparate compartments to abut each other along a horizontal, rather thana vertical axis of the package, and having each compartment's aperturedirectly opposite each other, rather than side by side as in previousdual compartment fluid containers. Thus, the present invention providesenhanced convenience of dispensing of more than one fluid component,while maintaining the ease of use, portability and storage of a singlepackage container for such components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a package of the invention comprisinga single container.

FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the package of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a package of the invention comprisingtwo containers.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a package of the invention comprising asingle container with two compartments.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a package of the invention comprisingtwo containers.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a package of the invention comprisingdual containers, showing an exploded view of a coupling mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention provides a single containerpackage 10 having oppositely disposed end portions 11 and 12, and acentral portion 13. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the packageis a single container with two compartments, each with a separateaperture 14 and 15 (not shown), and a cover 16 for aperture 15. Axis 4shows the position of the section illustrated in FIG. 4. Aperture 14 isshown with its cover removed. FIG. 2 shows a top view of the cover 16above an end portion 11. FIG. 3 illustrates a package 20 that comprisestwo separate containers 21 and 22, joined by a coupling 18. The packageof the invention internally has two compartments for receiving fluidcontents; the package has a first compartment in one end portion 11, anda second compartment in the other end portion 12, each compartmenthaving a proximal and distal end relative to the central portion 13 ofthe package, with an aperture positioned at the distal end of eachcompartment, and one or more partitions separating the compartments attheir proximal ends. FIG. 3 shows the aperture 14 without a cap. FIG. 4illustrates a sectional view of a dual chambered single containerexemplified in FIG. 1. Opposite ends 11 and 12 of the bottle areoccupied by two compartments, 23 and 24, positioned abutting each otherat their proximal ends 25 and 26, at the central portion 13 of thebottle. The compartments 23 and 24 are separated from each other by asingle partition 27 that extends transversely across the entire centralportion 13 of the bottle, thereby ensuring no possibility of mixing ofthe components ultimately contained in the respective compartments. Eachcompartment contains an aperture, 14 and 15, that is positioned on thedistal ends 28 and 29 of each the compartments, and at the opposite endsof the package's vertical axis, the apertures 14 and 15 permittingaccess to the contents of the respective compartments. In use, eachaperture 14 and 15 will be equipped with a closure 16 and 17, whichretain the contents within each compartment until dispensing is desired.

A sectional view of a two-container package is illustrated in FIG. 5.This package comprises two separate containers 32 and 33, each of whichhas a top wall 34 and 35, and a bottom wall 36 and 37, and sidewalls 38and 39, defining each bottle's individual compartments 23 and 24. In amanner analogous to the single container embodiment exemplified in FIG.3, the bottles are arranged within the package so that the bottom walls36 and 37, of each bottle, defining the proximal ends of eachcompartment, abut each other at package's central portion 13, serving asthe partitions between compartments, and top walls 34 and 35, definingthe distal ends and 11 and 12 of each compartment, contain apertures 14and 15, located at the opposite ends of the package's vertical axis,each aperture comprising a closure 16 and 17. In this embodiment, thetwo containers are fixed to each other, most typically through affixingtheir respective bottom walls to each other. In the simplest example,the two bottom walls may be affixed by gluing or epoxy, or joined withan adhesive-backed plastic clasp. In other examples, the bottom wallsmay be affixed by way of complementary male and female configurations,such as a threaded neck on one bottom wall fitting into a threaded capon the abutting bottom wall, or one or more male protrusions on onebottom wall that interlock with one or more female recesses on theabutting bottom wall. A particularly useful type of coupling for thispurpose is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,516,860, the contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In thistype of coupling a male lug on one container is slidably disposed withinan aligned female recess on the opposite container. As shown in FIG. 6,two separate containers are joined by coupling 18, which is based on aninterlocking interference fit achieved by the registration of acontoured protrusion 41 in bottom wall 37 with a recessed portion 40 onbottom wall 36. More specifically, and as described in U.S. Pat. No.7,516,860, by the registration of contoured upper and lower lug surfaceswith a tapered inner base and top surfaces and the lug's front surfaceagainst an angular disposed interlocking surface on a recess, aninterlocking interference fit is achieved.

The mechanism for attachment of the two containers may be substantiallypermanent, i.e., not intended to allow separation of the containers bythe user, or alternately may permit the dissociation of the twocontainers by the user. In the dual container embodiment, an optionalseparate housing 46 can be added over the joined containers so as togive the package the external appearance of being a single unit, ratherthan showing the two separate containers. The two containers may also oralternatively be covered with shrink wrap.

In certain cases, where the intended flowable contents of the twocompartments are of similar viscosities and are fillable under similarconditions, either the single or dual container embodiments may be used.However, in situations in which the compartments will contain componentsof differing viscosities, different compatibilities or different fillingconditions, it may be preferred to utilize the dual containerembodiment. The compartments may be the same size, but in certain cases,in which the components to be dispensed are routinely used in differingamounts (for example, oil and vinegar), or are of substantiallydifferent weights, it may be preferred to size the compartments inaccordance with the relative use or weights of the intended components.

In each embodiment, the containers may be composed of any material thatis typically used for manufacturing bottles intended to hold fluidcontents, and further, in consideration of the compatibility with thecontents. Although glass may be used in either embodiment, in mostcases, for ease of handling, or weight concerns, the bottle will be madeof a plastic material, for example, polyvinyl, polycarbonate,polyethylene or polyester materials; in certain embodiments, a flexibleplastic is preferred, particularly in the single container embodiment,so as to render the package squeezable, and enhancing the ease ofdispensing the fluid contents. In those embodiments in which a plasticmaterial is used for the container, the preferred plastics arepolyethylene or polypropylene, and in the two-container embodiment, thetwo containers may be made of different materials, selected, forexample, for a specific compatibility with the respective contents.Plastic containers can be manufactured by any means typically used forsuch purpose, and the method of manufacture is not critical to theinvention. However, injection blow molding is particularly useful in themanufacture of the single container embodiment with an integratedhorizontal separation between the two compartments. The horizontalseparation between the two compartments is preferably substantiallyflat. In the alternate, two-container embodiment, the bottom walls ofeach container will also be substantially flat, but for any attachmentmeans that may be incorporated into the bottom walls to allow thejoining of the two containers.

The apertures of each compartment may be the same or different, the sizeand shape being chosen depending on the viscosity and/or the chosen modeof dispensing of the fluid component from the package. Each aperturewill be fitted with a closure to retain the contents within thecompartments when not in use. In certain embodiments, the portion of thepackage surrounding the aperture will be threaded to receive a screw-oncap closure, which may be used as such, i.e., screwed on or off fordispensing, or which may further comprise a flip-top feature foradditional ease of dispensing. The type of closure is not limiting, butshould have a configuration such that it allows the entire package torest stably, and directly, upon the closure when the package is storedin a vertical position. To facilitate achieving this stability, in oneembodiment, each closure will be substantially flat.

In use, the consumer dispenses the contents of one of the compartmentsthrough one aperture, closes the aperture, and then simply inverts thepackage, and dispenses the contents of the second compartment, therebyensuring no cross-contamination of the respective contents of thecompartments, and permitting the consumer to regulate the dispensing ofthe contents of each container at a level and in a timeframe that ismost convenient and desirable for the particular intended purpose. Thepackage permits the ease of having a single package containing twodesired components, such as complementary condiments, but because thecontents are separately dispensed, it is possible for the compartmentsto contain fluids of very different viscosities, since a single motionis not relied upon to dispense both components. In a preferredembodiment of the invention, at least one, and preferably both, closurescovering each aperture of the package are substantially flat, so thatthe package may be placed down, and stored, resting on one closure ofthe package, which permits gravity to aid in maintaining the contents ofthe “lower” compartment ready to be dispensed from the aperture uponopening, a particular advantage when dealing with a high-viscosityfluid. Although not essential, it is often preferred that the oppositeends of the package, whether in the single or dual container embodiment,be substantially symmetrical, i.e., mirror images of each other, so asenhance the stability, as well as the aesthetics of the package; suchsymmetry provides the capacity for the package being placed or stored oneither of its opposite ends without losing balance, i.e., so either endcan be an “upper” or “lower” end depending on the manner in which theuser sets it down.

The package of the invention can be utilized in holding and dispensingany combination of different flowable materials that because of theirfrequent uses together will benefit by their combination in a singlepackage. One category of combinations is condiments. The package can beused to hold, for example, in any appropriate combination, ketchup,mustard, relish, salsa, steak sauce, hot sauce, barbecue sauce, beansauce, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, oil, vinegar, and thelike. Another category is liquids useful in drink mixing or bartending,for example, lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice, bitters, tonic wateror sour mix, combined with an appropriate alcoholic beverage, such asgin, vodka or tequila. Another category which may benefit from thecombination in the package of the invention is cosmetics and skin carefluids, such as, for example, combinations of shampoo and conditioner,moisturizer and anti-aging agents, exfoliating agents and sunlesstanners, foundation and concealer, or makeup remover and cleanser. Thereare no limitations to the components that may be conveniently disposedin and dispensed from such a package. The examples provided herein arenot to be construed as limiting, and other possible uses will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A package having oppositely disposed end portions, and a central portion, the package having a first compartment in one end portion, and a second compartment in the other end portion, each compartment having a proximal and distal end relative to the central portion of the package, with an aperture positioned at the distal end of each compartment, and one or more partitions separating the compartments at their proximal ends.
 2. The package of claim 1 which is a single container comprising two compartments separated by a transverse partition in the central portion of the package.
 3. The package of claim 2 in which the transverse partition is substantially flat.
 4. The package of claim 2 in which the partition is integral to the container.
 5. The package of claim 1 in which each aperture comprises a closure.
 6. The package of claim 5 in which the closure is substantially flat.
 7. The package of claim 5 in which the package can rest stably on either closure.
 8. The package of claim 1 which comprises separate containers at each oppositely disposed end portion, each container having a compartment defined by a top wall at the distal end, a bottom wall at the proximal end and sidewalls, the bottom walls of each container abutting at the central portion of the package to form partitions between the compartments.
 8. The package of claim 8 in which the bottom walls of each container are substantially flat.
 9. The package of claim 3 in which each aperture comprises a closure.
 10. The package of claim 9 in which the closure is substantially flat.
 11. The package of claim 9 which is capable of resting stably on either closure.
 12. A package having oppositely disposed end portions, and a central portion, the package having a first compartment in one end portion, and a second compartment in the other end portion, each compartment having a proximal and distal end relative to the central portion of the package, with an aperture positioned at the distal end of each compartment, and one or more partitions separating the compartments at their proximal ends, wherein the compartments are in separate containers, each container having a compartment defined by a top wall at the distal end, a bottom wall at the proximal end and sidewalls, the bottom walls of each container abutting at the central portion of the package to form partitions between the compartments, the containers being affixed to each other by way of one or more male protrusions on one bottom wall interlocking with one or more female recesses on the abutting bottom wall.
 13. The package of claim 12 in which the containers are affixed by engagement of one or more male lugs with aligned female recesses to form an interlocking interference fit.
 14. The package of claim 12 in which the containers are affixed by engagement of at least two male lugs with aligned female recesses to form an interlocking interference fit. 